By Isaac Olamikan
Edo State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Philip Aliyu Ogbadu, has made a cocktail of arrests of armed robbers while recovering a large cache of firearms in the process.
In the first incident on Monday, January 10th, 2022, at about 6.30 am the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of South Ibie in Etsako West Local Government Area, CSP Emmanuel Agbo, who on receiving information that some armed robbers who were hibernating in Campus 11, South Ibie, specialized in terrorizing people around the area and its environs. The police immediately swung into action, gathered more intelligence, mobilized a team of police surveillance and detectives, stormed the criminal hideout, and arrested the duo of Bishop Christopher and John Abuda.
The team of operatives also recovered one pistol, two live ammunition, and a battle axe from the suspects who have confessed to terrorizing the area.
According to the police, investigation is ongoing with the aim of arresting other fleeing gang members. Suspects will soon be charged to court at the end of investigation.
In another instance, the operatives of the Edo State Police Command acting on credible information in the evening of the same day, at about 9.00pm arrested four suspected robbers, that attacked a tricycle rider at Uwasota Road, Benin City by Texaco filling station.
The four robbers reportedly beat the rider and robbed him of his money and telephone handset.
On receipt of the information the police operatives in collaboration with local vigilante led by DPO of Textile Mill Road, SP Olayinka Adeleye, immediately swung into action and arrested one Godstime Ownede in Uwasota area.
The victim’s handset was recovered from him and the suspect have confessed to the crime. Intensive effort is on with the view to arrest other fleeing gang members.
In a similar move on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022, at about 11.01pm police operatives led by the DPO Textile Mill Road, SP Olayinka Adeleye who while acting on credible information that five armed gang members disguising as vigilante are robbing members of the public, the police arrested the trio of Michael Blessing, Monday Onojie and Joseph Agho.
The suspects claimed to be vigilante members working under one Vigilante Commander nicknamed Dada. They are cooperating with investigation and are giving useful information that will lead to the arrest of other conspirators in the name of vigilante.
The police assured that all the suspects will be charged to court at the end of investigation.
Meanwhile, in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Kontongs Bello, he stated that the state Commissioner of Police, Ogbadu, while commending the efforts of the command and vigilante members who swung into action and arrested these suspects, assured the residents that the command has put in some measures on ground to ensure the safety of lives and property.
He further called on the law abiding citizens of the state to continue to support and cooperate with the police towards ensuring a more secured Edo State where economic activities will flourish and prosper.
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